Hi I guess this is just another example of how cultural practices are dynamic, and capable of incorporating so much that's new - a sign of hope for all of us!
But perhaps not as funny as it might first seem from a different cultural perspective, see the following explanation of the significance of naming practices ( in this case from Zambia - and how fascinating it would be to know the individual stories behind the naming of the beautiful babies ( speaking as a mother!) who bear these names. The key point being "It generally depicts the social circumstances of the birth in the broadest sense of the term." Mwizenge S. Tembo; World and I, Vol. 17, May 2002. "Such Peculiar Names: The Significance of Naming Practices in Zambia." Zambians generally have wide latitude and freedom in selecting their first names. Although the majority of ethnic or language groups have relatively permanent and distinctive last, family, or clan names, the first names can be chosen in any way and at any time. There are some patterns, however, as to when they can be chosen or changed. I investigated these customs when I conducted field research among the Tumbuka, Chewa, Ngoni, Nsenga, and Tonga peoples of Zambia's Eastern and Southern Provinces. When a baby is born, the mother stays in seclusion with it for about a week. On the designated day, after the umbilical cord has fallen off, the mother and baby emerge from the house. The name given to the child at this time is known as zina la pamdotho among the Tumbuka and zina la bamkombo among the Chewa, Nsenga, and Ngoni peoples. These phrases mean "name of the umbilical cord," and this name is especially significant as a symbol of intimacy within families. The person who is to name the baby must first offer a chicken to the mother. These days, money might be offered instead. Sometimes the person might also buy clothes for the baby. There are variations in who is chosen or designated to select the name. The paternal grandfather may be given the honor, particularly if the baby is the couple's firstborn. In this case, any subsequent children are named by the father. The father or a relative could also name the child after himself. Then the next baby is designated to be named by the maternal grandmother in some families. To choose a name, a person must be cognizant of what has been happening in the family. This information will determine the type of name chosen and its meaning. Depending on the circumstances, the baby may simply be given the grandparent's name or that of an elderly or deceased relative. The name might depict the circumstances in which the baby was born, whether serious, sad, tragic, happy, joyous, or comical. It generally depicts the social circumstances of the birth in the broadest sense of the term. In some cases, several days or weeks might elapse before a name is given. This long period might indicate that the person designated to choose the name lives far away or is on a journey. He will come as soon as possible once he has been summoned and will name the baby on arrival. In other cases, a relative or even a total stranger might name the baby. There can be incredible flexibility and variation about the custom and process. This quote from a respondent from a village best summarized the traditional customs surrounding the naming of babies in Zambia's Eastern Province: "When a child is born, before we name him, we consider the past experience so that we can name him according to the circumstances. The one giving a name should give something to the parents or the newly born child; it could be money or a chicken." On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 2:27 AM, Anthony Townsend < [email protected]> wrote: > seriously, i have not laughed this hard in years. my personal favorite is > "Pay as you go Mfeka" > > On Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 6:20 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> Hello all, >> >> At the recent M4D conference in Karlstad, Sweden John Traxler showed some >> material on the cultural impact of the mobile phone on naming conventions in >> Africa (see the article below). >> >> There are other examples of technology/culturally inspired naming >> conventions. As I recall Bill Bryson has written on how the Pilgrims in the >> US also adopted what we might see as exotic names. >> >> >> http://www.reporter.co.za/article.aspx?ID=RP21A371718 >> >> Rich L. >> >> Sent from mobile phone >> >> PS Would someone be so kind as to enter this into the Ning blog? >> >> >> The article is as follows: >> >> Would you name your child Nokia? >> >> By Sipho Nhlapo >> >> Find out how the cell phone era has influenced names. >> >> Ever since mobile phone services were introduced in KwaZulu-Natal some >> parents have named their children after some of the terms used by mobile >> services providers. >> >> According to Home Affairs statistics some of the children born from 1993 >> when mobile services were introduced in the province (and the rest of SA) >> have the following names: >> >> 1. Network Madondo >> 2. Subscriber Zulu >> 3. Nokia Khumalo >> 4. Siemens Mdlalose >> 5. Motorola Buthelezi >> 6. Dial Magubane >> 7. Vodacom Mkhize >> 8. Call Later Ndlovu >> 9. Voicemail Ngobese >> 10 Simcard Makhathini >> 11 Scratchcard Mlaba >> 12 Talktime Luthuli >> 13 Send Ndebele >> 14 Paging Nyawose >> 15 Cellphone Mpungose >> 16 Message Gumede >> 17 SMS Mabaso >> 18 Phonebook Dlamini >> 19 Ringtone Khoza >> 20 MTN Shezi >> 21 Prepaid Zwane >> 22 Pay as you go Mfeka >> 23 Please Call Me Cetshwayo >> 24 Contract Mabaso >> 25 Charger Ngobese >> 26 Hands Free Tshabalala >> 27 Unavailable Masondo >> 28 Switchoff Mabuza >> 29 Sim-Rejected Hlongwane >> 30 Airtime Zwelithini >> 31 Internet Mthethwa >> 32 Server Mkhize >> >> >> >> > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "mobile-society" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mobile-society?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
